Review: Under the Moon by Natalie J. Damschroder

Under The Moon
Author:Natalie J. Damschroder
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Goddesses Rising Book #1
ISBN:   1937044556
ISBN13:  9781937044558
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Netgalley 

Their power gives them strength...and makes them targets.

Quinn Caldwell is the epitome of a modern goddess. Her power source is the moon, her abilities restricted only by physical resources and lunar phase. She runs a consulting business and her father's bar, serves on the board of the ancient Society for Goddess Education and Defense, and yearns for Nick Jarrett, professional goddess protector and the soul mate she can never have.

But someone has developed the rare and difficult ability to drain a goddess of her powers, and Quinn is a target. With the world thinking Nick has gone rogue (whatever that means) and that Quinn is influenced by "family ties" she didn't know she had, keeping themselves safe while working to find the enemy proves harder each day.

But not as hard as denying their hearts..

I have to start out by saying that the cover of UNDER THE MOON does NOT in any way match the story. There is not one motorcycle/motorcycle rider in the whole book and I just don't get why they have someone on one on the cover. Makes no sense.

UNDER THE MOON was a page turner with some nice twist and turns. Quinn was easy to like and the supporting characters brought a great cast to the story. Sam, Quinn's assistant is in love with Quinn and she keeps him at arms length because she is in love with Nick but Sam is still there for her throughout all the conflict and danger as a friend. Nick is Quinn's Protector. He has always loved her but refuses to have a relationship with her because he's her protector.  The sexual tension between Quinn and Nick was high. They both want each other but Nick just wont give in for most of the book. When he finally does the scenes between them are HOT. 

The world building was full of great explanations and imaginative powers. I loved the whole Goddess storyline. I liked meeting the different goddesses and hearing about what they could do. The action was not lacking. There were plenty of scenes that had my heart beating and had me wondering how the trio would get out of a particular situation.The ending wraps everything up nicely and I'm looking forward to reading what comes next.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Review: Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

Shadow Heir
Author:Richelle Mead
Release Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Zebra
Dark Swan Book #4
ISBN:  1420111809
ISBN13: 9781420111804
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice..

Their were A LOT the twists and turns. The Beginning was a bit slow but the middle and end were fantastically paced and full of drama and action. I have really loved this series. I'm really sad this is the last book, I have in no way had my fill of Eugenie (even though I admit I still have no clue as to how to pronounce her name correctly) and her friends. I have really enjoyed the characters of the series. Dorian is by far my favorite even though he can be a total @ss sometimes and Jasmine Eugenie's sister has grown so much that I fell in love with her too. I have always loved the descriptions and imagination that Richelle has put into the series and SHADOW HEIR lived up to the other books in that sense. We get all the answers we always wanted to know about Volusian. I understand him so much better after SHADOW HEIR. There were a lot of things resolved but so much that was not and has left me guessing.

I'm disappointed by the ending. I kinda understand why she chose to do what she did but I think she is wrong. Eugenie tends to do things for reasons that are based on a distorted understanding of something. It was extremely frustrating to read what she was doing, so much so that I almost put the book down at one point .She ended up being manipulative and a total hypocrite. Uggh so sad I want more, there is so much more I need to know. I'm having a really hard time on picking a rating for SHADOW HEIR because I really loved the story but hated Eugenie's decisions. One thing She did get right is the man she chose to be with and the reason in which she is staying with him. 


After much deliberation

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

Review: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Dragonswood
Author:Janet Lee Carey
Release Date: January 5, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Young Adult
ISBN:  0803735049
ISBN13: 9780803735040
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Teen Book Scene

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

I'm going to start of saying I LOVE the cover. It definitely caught my attention.  Tess Grew up in a home where her and her mother were beaten by her father. She has always been drawn to the Dragonswood even though she was forbidden to enter it. When she is accused of being a witch it starts a dangerous and suspenseful time on the run with her 2 closest friends where she learns things she never would have though possible.

DRAGONSWOOD has some great characters and character development. The plot had a few slow points that tended to be a bit frustrating but so much happens in the book that I had no issues getting swept up in the story once things got moving again. The book is filled with mystical creatures which includes both Dragons and Fairies as well as other things. The mystery, adventure and surprises were plentiful. I would have liked some more action though. The romance was frustrating and filled with tension but Tess and Garth complemented each other perfectly. The Huntsman Garth is full of mystery and surprises all in his own. Tess has to make some touch decisions but has some great help in the people around her. Overall DRAGONSWOOD was a nice read and I would recommend it to fantasy lovers.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

New Releases Jan 8-14

Sun Jan 8

Fangtastic (Vamped, #3) by Lucienne Diver

Shadow's Edge by Maureen Lipinski 

Tue Jan 10

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica, #2) by Beth Fantaskey

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark, #12) by Kresley Cole

Nameless by Kyle Chais

Happy Reading =)

Winner: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Finished copy of Switched

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Special Follower Giveaway

Its that time again, I don't usually require you to be a follower to enter my giveaways but every once in a while I like to do a special Follower only giveaway so that my followers get a special something.

On Saturday (Jan 7) I went to my SECOND author signing which featured Faith Hunter and Kalayna Price. Faith and Kalayna had some swag they were handing out and they gave me some extras so that I could pass them on to you. 

To Enter I would like you to leave a comment letting me know what author you wish you could meet in person (you will also need to fill out the form).

Here is what is up for grabs

- 2 Signed Manuscript page from Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter

- 5 different buttons from both Faith and Kalayna's books

-2 different Jane Yellowrock Business cards

-2 signed by Kalayna bookmarks, one from Grave Witch and once from Grave Dance

I will pick 2 winners and split things up at random

Don't forget to fill out the form (And I'm sorry to my International followers this is US mailing addresses only)

Week in Review 1/1-1/7

Books Ive Bought/received

* nothing this week.



Books I read
 

Sins of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Horizon by Sophie Littlefield
Under the Moon by Natalie Damschoder
Switched by Amanda Hocking
Night Reigns by Dianne Duvall

Reviews posted

Bound by Kira Saito
Sins of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Living Violet by Jaime Reed

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Tuesday I giveaway for Switched by Amanda Hocking went up. Its still open to entries 



* Wednesday a Trailer for Cinder by Marissa Meyer was put up.


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*If you see something on my books Ive read list that you are dying to know about let me know I'm back logged on reviews and can move it up on the list if I know people are wanting one.

* I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.